Embarassing moment

Our school, Victoria School is quite well-known in the neighbourhood. Many eminent people had graduated from Victoria School. Some are ministers, businessmen, or presidents. There is a strong parent-support group which organises activities to help the school. However, the person that contributed the most to our school is Mr. Ho Yu Dhar, the famous gynaecologist. His generosity toward our school is
Yesterday, a dinner was held to honour Mr. Ho for his generous help in the past. Teachers and student representatives attended it to show respect and honour to Mr. Ho.
Usually people who get rich and famous are humble. Their generosity is indicative of other good qualities. Mr. Ho, however, was an exception. He was rich and loves publicity. Therefore, he looked very delighted when his arrival to the restaurant was greeted with much applause.
As we proceed with the night’s programmes, Mr. Lee, our current principal, went on stage. He invited Mr Ho to the stage to make a speech. Unfortunately, as Mr.Ho got up from his chair, an embarrassing accident took place. A trainee waiter was had been hovering nearby. Seeing Mr. Ho’s half empty glass and his body movement, he thought that Mr. Ho wanted a refill. When the waiter was moving towards Mr. Ho with the wine bottle, Mr. Ho was getting up from his chair. His shoulder hit the incoming wine bottle. As a result red wine was spilled all over Mr. Ho.
For a moment, everyone at the table was stunned, and then some of them moved to help the shocked and embarrassed guest. It was now that Mr. Ho’s face shows his indignation. His face was flushed red with irritation and embarrassment. Mr. Lee was offering apologies to Mr. Ho while helping him wipe off the red stains on his once clear white shirt.
Directing a baleful stare at the unfortunate waiter, Mr. Ho walked to the stage as dignified as he could. His courage was warmly applauded by the teachers and students. He gave an impromptu speech because his original notes for the speech were soggy and limp with the spilled wine.
The next day, the Straits Times published about Mr. Ho’s courage. He was also praised for his dignity in carrying his speech despite the accident. The unfortunate waiter was then forgiven as everyone recognized that it wasn’t his fault and his remorse was punishment enough.

Babysitting

Mrs. Tan was one of the many teachers who stay in the hostel. She’s a nice middle-aged lady, kind and helpful to her students. She helps me a lot in my studies so I am very grateful to her. She has a baby son and a daughter, family could always be seen going out together during the weekends.
Today morning she came to my unit and called for me. “Joshua’’, she smiled in the sweetest manner. “Could you do me a favour?” she requested. “I have to attend an important meeting in Marine Parade Community Centre and my maid is on leave, could you take care of Chris while I’m gone?”
How could I have rejected such an innocent request? All the time she had been helping me on my homework, this is the perfect chance to show my gratitude.”Why not”, I smiled back. She passed me some diapers, milk powder, and a bottle. She gave me some instructions on feeding the baby. Then she left in a hurry.
It is now my job to keep this baby safe and sound, I felt a sudden burden on myself. Taking care of a baby wouldn’t be that hard, I convinced myself.
Chris the cute little ‘angel’ turned out to be a ‘monster’, right after his mother left, he started wailing. I ran to him and carried him up trying to comfort him. Not only this didn’t stop his wailing, he cried even louder.
My neighbour probably heard the wailing and came to my room to see what’s going on. I told him about Chris, he listen very attentively. My neighbour happened to have experience with babies. He told me that the baby was probably hungry. Of course! Why didn’t I think of that?
He also guided me on other things like changing the baby’s diapers. He was like a guardian angel helping me when I needed the most.
Mrs. Tan came back at about 7 p.m. I was relieved as if I just finished a 2.4 km run. Mrs. Tan thanked and rewarded me with some gift certificates. I gave the gift certificates to my neighbour and thanked him for his kindness although we are not close.

A memorable trip

Last holiday, I took a bus journey from Singapore to Penang. I went there to meet my family who are already there, I didn’t get to go there with them because I had to attend extra lessons on Maths. Gathering in Penang during the December holidays had been somewhat of a yearly tradition for my family. My grandparents are natives of Perak and moved to Penang in their golden age.
I was a little apprehensive as this was the first time I was travelling on my own. Fortunately, the picturesque scenery brought my attention away and silenced my fear. I noted many tall, benevolent buildings in the bustling city as I passed the Causeway. Then, the scenery changed as I crossed the borders of Malaysia. Plantations of rubber and oil palm can be seen along the road. The endless serenity and the stretch of green were unbelievable.
The bus then passed the sea as it moved along the coast. The sight of the sun’s ray bouncing on the waves forming glittering bed of blue and green was certainly engrossing. I was so mesmerized by the sceneries that I didn’t realize about my stomach protesting in hunger. The bus stopped at a little market square in Melaka for passengers to have their lunch. Dozens of stalls were set up by hawkers to sell their goods. I treated myself to a plate of chicken rice, the chicken rice there was famous for the unique flavor of their meat.
The bus continued the journey after half an hour. I met two friends who are around my age in the bus, we talked about our studies and hobbies. Having mutual interests, I was more than comfortable talking to them.
The bus reached the depot after another 5 hours. My family fetched me at the bus terminal. I was very much pleased with this trip as I greatly benefited from it. I have made two new friends, while feasting both physically and visually. I also conquered the fear of travelling alone. It was really an enjoyable trip!

Time

I was once told that time was elastic and it can be as long and as short as you want it to be. I thought that it was quite true, for many things could be done in a given time. But if we look at time at another angle, it could be very taunting to know that time always passes at the wrong speed. Sometimes when you want it to last longer so you can enjoy yourself longer, it passes in a blink of an eye; when you want time to pass quickly, it insists on prolonging itself.
An excellent example of the latter is during the compulsory study time, or CST for short, in the hostel. It lasts for 2 straight hours from 8p.m. to 10p.m. All Victoria School borders in the hostel must attend CST, we usually do our homework or revision during that time. For us, CST is usually boring and meaningless after we finish our homework and revision. Although some are very punctual and enthusiastic, most of us are just lazy people who want it to end quickly. It was horrible as time crawls ever so slowly.
Another experience was when time moves to quickly was yesterday night when I celebrate my roommate, Lee Kim Hwa’s birthday. We were enjoying ourselves so much in Mcdonald’s that we lost track of time. When we noticed, it was already 11p.m. We panicked because the front gate is always locked after 11p.m., we may need to spend the night out instead. We took a taxi back to the hostel. Fortunately, Lady Luck was smiling at us, we somehow managed to make it in time before the gate was locked.
In the end, what makes time goes too quickly or slowly is merely our own perception of it. It is just natural for us to want time to prolong during happy times and quickly pass during the mundane ones.

Guilt

There have been many occasions when I had felt frightened, but there was once that it left me feeling very guilty.
Yesterday was one of those unlucky days where everything goes wrong. I woke up late and had to rush to school. Despite all my efforts to avoid being seen sneaking into the school, I was caught by my classmate, Aaron, who was a prefect. I tried to plead him to let me go this time, but he didn’t show any mercy. When I reached my class, the bell had already rung and everyone was taking out their Mathematics textbook for the first lesson.
I was scolded for being late by Mr. Bob in front of the whole class, I felt so shameful. I trembled in fear as I realized that I had mistaken my Geography text book for my English textbook. I avoided attracting the teacher’s attention by looking down at my feet.
I jolted up suddenly when I heard Mr. Bob announcing to the class that we had to submit our mathematics assignment. I panicked even more when I remembered that mine was not completed due to excessive computer games the day before.
I noticed that my friend’s completed assignment was on the floor, mischievous thoughts started to invade my mind. I picked it up secretly when no one was looking. I changed the name using correction fluid.
When Mr. Bob asked for my assignment, I handed the assignment I found on the floor. I was very afraid that he will notice the change of names on the assignment. He stared at the paper for a moment, then he put it together with the others.
Although I handed an assignment on time, I felt a strong wave of guilt. My classmate, Joseph, was scolded and sent to detention although he did his work. Till this day I still feel guilty when I meet him.